www.kerridgecs.com
Electro-technical digitisation on track as manufacturers collaborate on ETIM-UK
Above: David Lorrison, Head of ETIM-UK at the EDA
The European Technical Information Model, now shortened to ETIM, is a system for classifying technical products that started with the classification of electro-technical products and, due to its effectiveness, has also been adopted by a range of other industries. The ETIM classification lists the most important technical characteristics for any product. It is multi-lingual, supplier neutral and, once uploaded into a Product Information Management (PIM) system, can be served up in print and online.
ETIM started in the Netherlands in the 1990s, where installers had difficulty finding product data in a standardised format to compare the performance of electro-technical products. The model they devised as a solution to their search was soon recognised by wholesalers as having further value by simplifying the transfer of data in the supply chain and also transcending geographical borders and markets. Today the classification has been adopted across 18 countries. In Germany, for example, it is almost the norm for manufacturers to supply their data to wholesalers in ETIM format.
Since its launch by the EDA in March 2017, ETIM-UK – the EDA-led, long-term project to help digitise the UK’s electro-technical supply chain – has now entered a crucial ‘anglicisation phase’ with product data experts from across the UK’s electro-technical manufacturing base collaborating to translate the classification into correct technical English for use in the UK. By the end of July 2018, 40 working groups had completed their translations, crunching through over 13,500 separate lines of technical product data. As each group translation is completed and approved, the EDA liaises with ETIM International HQ in Brussels to add the UK version to the international standard, making it available for use across the 18 countries where ETIM is the recognised data standard. The EDA is on track to complete the translations by the end of Q4 2018.
Alongside this translation work, the EDA has delivered over 45 free one-to-one ‘ETIM-ready audits’ and consultancy sessions to help manufacturers and wholesalers plan their ETIM journey and to gear-up their systems to supply or receive ETIM-classified product data respectively. The EDA is also raising awareness among suppliers of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems including Kerridge Commercial Systems, and PIM systems such as ProPlanet, to ensure solutions are developed ready to receive ETIM attributes so there is somewhere to put the data when it comes into the system.
David Lorrison, Head of ETIM-UK at the EDA, said “For manufacturers, the major benefits of ETIM are data integrity and the fact that it can be automatically translated into several languages. Once they can issue their product information in the standardised ETIM format, it’s no longer open to interpretation. Wholesalers will be able to serve up the data straight into printed catalogues and e-commerce sites. ETIM will streamline what was a laborious and time-consuming process. Installers can use the data to fine-tune their searches by applying filters, also known as parametric searches. Once the web visitor has narrowed their search and found their preferred product, they can place their order.”
David continued, “I’m very optimistic about the project because of the way manufacturers and wholesalers have been working with us. They’re leaving their company hats at the door and working together for the common good – it’s very refreshing and everyone can see why we’re doing it. There are going to be benefits for everyone.”
To improve communication of the project across the sector, and to provide resources and technical guidance, the EDA has launched a dedicated website at
www.etim-uk.co.uk
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